Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Endless Waltz
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
In the year After Colony 196, one year after the conclusion of the intergalactic civil war, a state of stasis prevails over the Earth and its colonies. Seeing no further use for their Gundam mobile suits, war heroes Duo Maxwell, Heero Yuy, Trowa Barton, and Quatre Raberba Winner decide to destroy these weapons by launching them into the sun's surface. Before the Gundam reach their destination, the universal peace is shattered by the emergence of Mariemaia Khushrenada—the only child of the former tyrannical aristocrat Treize. Mariemaia abducts diplomat Relena Peacecraft and announces plans to launch "Operation Meteor," with the intention of posthumously fulfilling Treize's world domination plot. With the help of former enemy Zechs Marquise and his mobile suit Tallgeese, the heroic pilots must reacquire their mobile suits to wage one final battle against the Khushrenada dynasty, including fighting against their former ally Wufei Chang, now aligning himself with Mariemaia's ambitions.
Audience Consensus
Audience sentiment for Endless Waltz is largely positive, with many viewing it as a strong conclusion to the Gundam Wing series. While the improved animation and character context are praised, some critics found the plot to be confusing or underdeveloped, with questionable character decisions impacting the narrative's coherence.
Strengths
- Improved animation and character designs compared to the original series.
- Faster pace and higher stakes than the TV series, with a focus on epic battles and character development.
- Provides valuable backstory and context for the main characters, enhancing emotional connection.
- A satisfying conclusion and epilogue for fans of the Gundam Wing series.
Weaknesses
- The plot is sometimes described as a "narrative mess" or "incomprehensible," with questionable character motivations (e.g., Wu Fei's shift).
- Villains are considered bland and unimposing by some critics.
- The practicality of the Gundam designs is questioned, with a perceived focus on toy sales.
- Some felt the story was hastily written to facilitate action sequences.